I Hope to Participate in the Next PSL: Abdul Razzaq

Pakistan’s veteran all-rounder Abdul Razzaq is convinced that he can still make a comeback and impress Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises to pick him for PSL’s fourth edition, which will take place in 2019.

Razzaq, famous for his clean hitting, monstrous sixes and accurate bowling, was talking to a local media outlet and said he’s keen on proving his fitness in the upcoming T10 Cricket League.

“I wanted to play in the PSL but I guess the time for that has passed now,” he said. “But I’m playing in T10 and will also be participating in domestic ODI tournament. If I am able to perform and prove my fitness, then I am hopeful of participating in the next PSL as a player.”

Replying to a question about his selection in the national side, the veteran said:

I used to play cricket regularly. But I was being pushed in and out of the team and it becomes difficult for a player to be mentally stable then. I came back in the team between 2009 and 2010 and then was pushed out. This continued for nearly four years. I think I was in my prime in 2007 and I was wasted for the next few years.

The 38-year-old has always been deemed as a disposable player despite his consistency when it came to bat and bowl, both. He also commented on Waqar Younis’ — who was coach of the national team back then — philosophy of replacing senior players with the youth.

Waqar wanted to bring young players in the team to replace seniors. Every coach has his own methods. I think he was wrong. This shouldn’t happen. If he would’ve taken me with him, that would’ve prolonged my career.

World class all-rounders are hard to come by. Even now, there aren’t many all-rounders. A few that spur to mind include England’s Ben Stokes and Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan.

Speaking about his and Shahid Afridi’s role in the team, Razzaq said, “There is no doubt that no one was able to fill our place in the team.”

Due to unfair treatment from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over his exclusion from national side, Razzaq was forced to take retirement.

Syed Zarar

Passionate about sports and tech, Zarar works as a sub-editor for ProPakistani. Drop him a message at [email protected]